Metro-North engineering recognized for Irene recovery

New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority's Metro-North Port Jervis Line Reconstruction Project has been selected for a 2013 Diamond Award in the transportation category from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of New York.

The ACEC is an organization representing more than 270 firms covering every discipline of engineering related to the built environment, including civil, structural, mechanical, electrical and geotechnical.

"It is a great honor for Metro-North to be recognized for the hard work and dedication of our employees in rebuilding the line faster than anticipated following Tropical Storm Irene on August 28, 2011," said Metro-North President Howard Permut.

Flooding of the Ramapo River caused catastrophic damage to the line including some 40 washouts, three of which are longer than a thousand feet near Sloatsburg, significant damage to several railroad bridges and exposure of what had been a subterranean signal cable. Twisted tracks hung in midair and tons of ballast was washed away.

Service was restored within three months and all repairs were completed in spring 2012 with Metro-North employees working side by side with contractors and engineers from AECOM, which designed the major repairs.

The award will be presented at an April 6 event as part of the 2013 Engineering Excellence Awards Competition.

In addition, as a Diamond award recipient, Metro-North is in contention for the Empire Award, an award given to the highest rated project in New York state. The winner will be announced at the April 6 event.